The Pakistani Foreign Ministry stated that Prime Minister Imran Khan would set a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia on Friday. The visit will be embarked upon the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the statement added. Prime Minister Imran Khan will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi as well as other members of the Cabinet.
The statement also announced that the issues that would be touched upon during the Prime Minister’s visit would mainly focus on bilateral cooperation in various fields, including economic, trade, investment, energy, job opportunities for the Pakistani workforce, and welfare of the Pakistani diaspora.
Besides, it was indicated that regional and international issues of mutual interest would be discussed during the visit. Also, several Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) are expected to be signed between the two countries, the statement added.
According to the statement, Prime Minister Khan will also meet Yousef Al Othaimeen, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the imams of the two holy mosques in Makkah during his visit to Saudi Arabia.
The relations between the two countries have been strained in recent years over a series of disagreements between the two parties, including Pakistan’s denial to enter into the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen and Saudi Arabia’s reluctant support to Pakistan on the long-standing Kashmir dispute. In this sense, the visit will come as part of ongoing efforts to resolve these disagreements between the two countries.
Also, Saudi Arabia is important for Pakistan as an important source of remittances is provided by the Pakistani workforce, whose numbers exceed two million in the Kingdom.
